Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing are prepared to use the nursing process to provide effective nursing services to individuals receiving care in inpatient settings and in structured outpatient settings. The academic program provides students with a closely related mix of theory and clinical practice; students gain experience in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and community agencies.
The AAS in Nursing is a four semester accredited nursing program at UAA. This program prepares students to deliver excellent patient care in a wide variety of acute care settings. Information sessions are available to interested students. Times and locations are recorded on (907) 786-4560.
The AAS in Nursing is approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, info@acenursing.org.
Licensure and/or Certification
Graduates of the AAS in Nursing must sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to practice nursing in structured inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and community agencies.
Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- Complete the following admission requirements for the AAS in Nursing:
- Documentation from transcripts must show successful completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of C: intermediate algebra, biology with laboratory, and chemistry with laboratory. Courses may have been taken at the high school or college level. Equivalent college-level courses in lieu of high school classes are: BIOL A102 and BIOL A103, and MATH A105.
- Submit an AAS in Nursing application according to instructions and deadlines on the program website.
- Students will initially be admitted to pre-major status. Admission to pre-major status does not guarantee subsequent admission to the major. As a pre-major, students work with an academic advisor to assist them in completing pre-major requirements and preparing them to apply to the full major.
Special Considerations
- Prior to beginning clinical coursework, students must provide documentation of:
- The following immunizations: rubella, rubeola and mumps confirmed by titer; Hepatitis B titer showing immunity, Hepatitis A, chicken pox, diptheria/tatanus vaccine within the past ten years, influenza vaccine in the previous twelve months.
- Freedom from active tuberculosis, documented annually by negative PPD skin test or by health examination by a nurse practitioner, physician, or physician’s assistant.
- Documentation of HIV testing annually (results not required).
- Current health provider certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for infants, children and adults. First-year students will have until the third week of the semester to complete this certification, which then must be kept current until graduation.
- Results of a national-level criminal background check.
- Professional liability insurance. Specific information regarding acceptable professional liability insurance policies may be obtained directly from the program.
- Students enrolled in clinical courses must provide their own transportation to clinical assignments and will be required to purchase uniforms and specialized equipment.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C in all nursing courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A240 & A240L | Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences and Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences Laboratory | 4 |
| DN A203 | Nutrition for Health Sciences | 3 |
| NURS A120 & A120L | Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Fundamentals Laboratory | 7 |
| NURS A125 & A125L | Adult Nursing I and Adult Nursing I Laboratory | 6 |
| NURS A180 | Basic Nursing Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS A220 & A220L | Perinatal Nursing and Perinatal Nursing Laboratory | 4 |
| NURS A222 & A222L | Child and Family Nursing and Child and Family Nursing Laboratory | 4 |
| NURS A223 & A223L | Concepts of Adult Nursing and Concepts of Adult Nursing Laboratory | 2 |
| NURS A225 & A225L | Adult Nursing II and Adult Nursing II Laboratory | 6 |
| NURS A250 & A250L | Psychiatric Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing Laboratory | 4 |
| NURS A260 | Transition to Professional Nursing | 2 |
| NURS A295 | Intensive Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| PSY A150 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| Total | 58 | |
A minimum of 68 credits is required for the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing will be able to:
- Utilize critical thinking skills to assess and diagnose nursing needs and to prioritize, plan, implement, and evaluate care for patients and their families in institutional and community based settings.
- Effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically with health team members, patients and their families.
- Plan, implement and evaluate care that is safe, evidence-based, caring, and developmentally and culturally sensitive within ethical, legal and professional standards.
- Coordinate care of small groups of patients in collaboration with other members of the health care team.
- Develop a plan for lifelong learning and continuing professional development.